E. Phillips Oppenheim (1866–1946)

Really didn't think I was enjoying it that much until near the end when the main character's motivation becomes clear. Until then, she just seemed odd, and cold, really.
Wilhelmina is the mistress of an estate and has a whole town full of people that depend on her and take her word as law. When Victor Macheson, a young man chock full of ideals and theories about how to make the world a better place, petitions her for the use of a barn where he can speak on these subjects, she refuses. Her people are moral, they are prosperous, they are satisfied. Why do they need to be preached to? So she argues.
But Macheson will not take rejection so easily. He hangs around the area longer than Wilhelmina wants him to; in fact, just long enough for her to develop a new kind of fascination with him. But why is she so incomprehensible, so affectionate and then so distant? And will Macheson's ideals and high thinking stand the test of such treatment by her?
Like I said, I was on the fence about the whole thing until right near the end, where the pieces fell into place.… (more)